September 30, 2023 
Reviewed by:
Julie-Allyson Ieron, author/Bible teacher/worship minister
WomenCareForAgingParents.com
Title:
The Meaning of Singleness: Retrieving an Eschatological Vision for the Contemporary Church
Author:
Danielle Treweek
Publisher:
InterVarsity Press
Release Date:
May 2023
Format:
Paperback
Length:
328 pages
OVERVIEW
This book is a validation of the life I have lived as a fulfilled, active, vibrant single adult who is a believer in Christ. Yeah! It’s about time someone trained in theology and practicing in the pastorate affirms that singles aren’t defined by what they don’t have, but by who they are. It’s a terrific premise.
Dr. Danielle (Dani) Treweek has studied singleness thoroughly, lived it herself and been involved in the lives of many other single adults. Her research is convincing. She wrestles with difficult theological and practical concepts. But this isn’t a popularly written book, it’s an adaptation of her dissertation–and unfortunately it reads too academically. For example, here’s a portion of a key sentence from the introduction, “Singless’s lack of lexical nuance is only further problematized by its inability to readily account for a matrix of factors …”
This is a great textbook for seminary students. I hope every evangelical seminary adds its study to required curriculum–and invites Dr. Treweek as a guest presenter.
But I contend that the author needs to follow up this academic work with a second book, written for those of us in the pews who are living this life every day. Encourage us. Challenge us. Affirm us. The calling on her life and ours is worth the effort.
ASSESSMENT
Rating (1 to 5):
5
Suggested Audience:
Seminarians, pastoral staffs, and Bible college students
Christian Impact:
Too academic a treatment for the popular reader. But the topic is needed and the research is sound. Christians living a season (or their whole lives) as single adults could benefit greatly from this well-supported validation.
No comments yet... Be the first to leave a reply!